Twelve minutes of silence louder than any speech. History's most devastating standing ovation.
In August 1964, less than a year after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, delegates to the Democratic National Convention gathered to nominate the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. On the convention's final day, Bobby Kennedy gives a tribute speech in honor of his late brother, President Kennedy, and receives an overwhelming standing ovation for more than 12 minutes.
Direction
Camera holds on Bobby's face like it's afraid to look away.
Editing
Twenty minutes that could've been two—deliberately, cruelly so.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This moment essentially launched Bobby's political career; the convention transformed a grieving brother into a presidential contender in real time.
The speech he eventually gives—quoting Romeo and Juliet about 'night's candles'—was reportedly ad-libbed; aides had prepared something entirely different.
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